Flags have been used since ancient times. They had a religious significance that persisted historically.
For example the Union Jack, the official ensign of UK is formed by the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick, the national saints respectively of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
The colour scheme of a national flag, once adopted becomes the sacred trust and is considered sacrosanct.
The colour scheme and design of the flag, portrays either the history of its struggle for independence and/or the composure of its varied cultural and religious background of the citizens of that State.
Striking a flag signifies surrender, while an inverted national ensign is a signal of distress.
The first flag of the US was raised by George Washington, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 2nd January, 1776.
There has been no change in its colour scheme, except that it today has 13 stripes, denoting 13 original colonies, and 50 stars, for the 50 states.
Shipping lines have their own flags and so do many other multinationals, political parties and religious sects.
The design and colour of Pakistan's national flag was adopted with the consent of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the All India Muslim League and thereafter ratified by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on its first meeting held under the chairmanship of Jinnah, the undisputed and revered "Father of Nation".
When Orient Airways was disbanded, to give birth to Pakistan International Airlines, as the national flag carrier of our country, the parrot green colour of Pakistan's flag was painted on all PIA aircraft.
Thereafter every change in PIA's regime, has made it habitual to bring about a change in the livery of PIA's fleet, but nobody dared to change the green colour that has become a symbol of our national flag. 98% of the airline's clientele is composed of ethnic Pakistanis living abroad or those who are expatriate workers.
It was shocking to me that the new livery of PIA's fleet, has a Pakistani flag, on its tail, painted in dark olive green which almost looks like dark navy blue, with an olive green shade.
Has PIA decided to no longer claim to be the national flag carrier of Pakistan, or is there something more sinister?
Pakistan's flag has been defined in the Constitution and no military dictator has even dared to make any changes in it, for fear of massive public reaction.
This is a provocation, that even the benign Pakistani nation may find hard to digest. The man responsible for this should be held accountable and given exemplary punishment, before all hell breaks loose.
This is what happens when a nation or an organisation, is ruled by an individual or a group of people, who feel that they are above the law. I hope our parliament, the elected Prime Minister, the President and whatever is left of the judiciary, would take stern action against those responsible for desecrating the Pakistani flag.
I and other Pakistanis, who are aware of this grave sacrilege are perturbed and demand an explanation for this unpardonable offence.
The privileges that PIA enjoys, by virtue of being the national flag carrier of Pakistan, must be suspended till this is not rectified.